On August 21, 2024, the 5th Youth Advocacy Forum was held, bringing together young participants aged 18-30 from various countries. The forum, which focused on the theme of "Electronic Cigarettes and Electronic Products" was also graced by the presence of representatives from different Green Crescent organizations. Among them, Muhammad Galaev, Head of the Youth Information Block at Dagestan Green Crescent, delivered a remarkable and insightful speech, drawing attention to his personal experiences. In his address, Mr. Galaev reflected on his participation in the 67th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), which was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). He shared key moments from a particularly meaningful side event he attended, titled “The Role of Sports and Mental Health in Preventing Addiction.” His reflections underscored the importance of promoting mental well-being and encouraging active lifestyles as effective strategies in protecting individuals from substance abuse. Moreover, Mr. Galaev took the opportunity to express his heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering support provided by the International Federation of Green Crescent Societies during the CND. He emphasized how the Federation’s presence and contributions at such global platforms enhance the visibility of civil society’s role in advocating for healthier, addiction-free communities. The forum proved to be a significant platform for young advocates, allowing them to exchange experiences, raise awareness on pressing issues like electronic nicotine delivery systems, and discuss collaborative solutions aimed at preventing addiction in future generations.

Technology Addiction and Online Gaming webinar was held for Country Green Crescents! In collaboration with the International Federation of Green Crescents (IFGC) and the Turkish Green Crescent Counseling Center (YEDAM), Addressing Technology Addiction and Online Gaming: Insights from the Green Crescent Counselling (YEDAM) Model with Case Study Applications titled webinar was held online on September 26, 2024 for Country Green Crescents. In the webinar YEDAM experts shared intervention programs and case studies on internet and online gaming addiction with representatives and volunteers from various Country Green Crescents. They also underlined the effects of technology addiction and online gaming, risk factors, and treatment methods. The webinar aimed to raise awareness about internet addiction and assist Green Crescent representatives in other countries gain insight from YEDAM's Model.

Green Crescent provides scholarship support to master's, doctoral and medical residency students conducting thesis research on tobacco-cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, technology, gambling and other addiction forms at universities, institutes and research centers outside of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The aim is to contribute to Green Crescent's areas of addiction research.Green Crescent aims to be a source for national and international efforts against addiction, fostering scientific research to contribute to addiction literature, aid in the development of policies and action plans, and support the growth of young researchers. To achieve this goal, Green Crescent has launched the International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program, starting in 2024, to provide support for qualitative and quantitative research in many fields from health sciences to social sciences. The scholarship program offers a total of USD 3600 for master's students and USD 7200 for doctoral and medical residency students. The application deadline for the program is June 30, 2024.Green Crescent’s International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program will consider thesis research in the following areas: Tobacco Use and Addiction Drug Use and Addiction Alcohol Use and Addiction Technology Use and Addiction Gambling and other forms of behavioral addiction In the 2024/U1 Period International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program, Green Crescent will provide scholarship support in line with its strategic plan and goals for research in the specified following areas:Alcohol Addiction Evaluations of the effectiveness of alcohol consumption prevention efforts among young people National and international legal regulations on alcohol consumption and implementation results The effect of family values on alcohol consumption The effect of alcohol industry activities on alcohol addiction The effect of alcohol on public health in the context of violence and traffic accidents The effects of alcohol use in OECD countries in the context of developed and developing countries Problems caused by alcohol use in traffic The activities of the alcohol industry on social media platforms The effect of the pandemic period on alcohol addiction Tobacco Addiction Studies on the frequency of use of electronic cigarettes/heated tobacco products Etiological studies on electronic cigarettes/heated tobacco products Assessments of knowledge, attitude and behavior on the use of electronic cigarettes/heated tobacco products The effects of electronic cigarettes/heated tobacco products on human health Assessments of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to hookah use Evaluations of the effectiveness of tobacco use prevention efforts Studies on the effects of flat packaging Evaluations of the effectiveness of smoking cessation services on a national and international basis. National and international legal regulations on the consumption of tobacco products and implementation results Regional activities of the tobacco industry and their impact on consumption behavior Comparative studies examining the transposition of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control into domestic legal systems Studies examining the opinions of smokers and health sector workers on the inclusion of electronic cigarettes in smoking cessation practices Studies on passive smoking Studies on tobacco control policy instruments in Türkiye and the world (e.g. price and taxation, sales procedures, age restrictions, etc.) The effect of the pandemic period on tobacco addiction Studies examining the relationship between infectious diseases and tobacco products Ethical problems that will arise from the tobacco industry's positioning in the health sector (with new statuses such as pharmaceutical companies) Current status, setbacks and needs in smokefree airspace implementations Research examining the reasons for the recent increase in the prevalence of tobacco use among women in all age groups Studies investigating compliance with smoke-free airspaces Drug Addiction Investigating factors influencing the use of different drugs Etiological studies on the causes of drug addiction Studies on the frequency of cannabis use among university youth/ Studies on the frequency of drug use among university youth Evaluations of the effectiveness of activities to prevent drug use among youth The effects of drug use/multiple drug use on public health (e.g. unemployment, discord in family life, dropping out of education, etc.) Studies to develop reintegration models that would enable individuals with a history of drug abuse/addiction to take part in business life Examination of trends in the misuse and abuse of prescribed medicines Studies for the development of analytical methods for the detection of new psychoactive/drug substances Studies that examine regional trends in the legalization of drugs Studies comparing the  drug policies of Türkiye with those of regional and global organizations Studies examining the role of civil society organizations in the fight against drug addiction in the context of international examples Problems caused by drug use in traffic Studies investigating the abuse of addictive drugs and active substances in the health sector The effects of the pandemic on drug addiction Prodrug use and preventive studies Drug use in women/pregnant women and its effect on infants/neonatal mortality Investigating the effects of parental drug use on children and the family structure Investigating the frequency and reasons for drug use among children/youth raised without parents Drug use among disadvantaged individuals and examples of preventive good practices Behavioral Addictions (Studies on digital gaming, gambling, excessive use of social media, excessive use of smartphones and online pornography) Etiological studies on the causes of behavioral addictions (Example: Genetic factors, psychopathology, environmental factors, peer relationships, mental resilience, etc.). Studies on the prevalence of behavioral addictions on a large scale National/international policies and legal regulations on behavioral addictions DSM-5 or ICD-11 based scale development studies on behavioral addictions Studies on the treatment of behavioral addictions (psychotherapy and medical/pharmacological treatment) Studies examining the relationship between digital game addiction and gambling addiction The effects of the pandemic on behavioral addictions Studies supporting the conscious use of technology in school-age children General Studies that examine the effectiveness of psychotherapeutical approaches in addiction treatment practices Studies that examine the moral and philosophical dimensions of addictions Studies that examine the relationship between family relationships and addiction processes (e.g. domestic violence, etc.) Spirituality-based approaches in prevention and treatment practices related to addictions Social work activities related to addictions Comparisons of the social policies among countries on addiction Substance abuse and addictions in the workplace (alcohol, illicit substances, digital gaming and gambling addiction) Examining the effectiveness of prevention activities related to addiction Studies that examine the level of knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals regarding addictions Possible effects of energy drinks on young people Studies examining the relationship between addiction and criminal behavior Relationship between consumption and addiction Relationship between addiction and venues Social and economic impacts of practices and policies related to addictions Examination of the changes in the social and emotional behavior of individuals (adolescents, young people) under treatment and intervention: Longitudinal study For detailed information on the 2024/U1 Period International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program, you can refer to the application guide provided below. The scholarship results are expected to be announced within a minimum of 3 months from the application deadline.For further inquiries, you can contact scholarship@yesilay.org.tr for detailed information.International Scholarship Application Guide:https://www.yesilay.org.tr/assets/uploads/pdf/international-scholarship-application-guide-v2.pdf International Graduate Thesis Research Scholarship Support Program Application Form:https://www.yesilay.org.tr/assets/uploads/pdf/international-graduate-thesis-research-scholarship-support-program-application-form.docx